Portuguese coach Fernando Santos is leaving the team. Jose Mourinho is being talked about as his successor.
Portugal’s ‘Avola’ reported on the 13th (Korean time), “Coach Santos will leave the Portuguese national team.”
Santos took over as manager of the Portuguese national team in 2014, replacing Paulo Bento. He led the European Football Federation (UEFA) Euro 2016 victory and presented Portugal with their first Euro trophy. He also led the team to win the first UEFA Nations Cup (UNL) in the 2018-19 season.
However, consistent and conservative tactics eventually became poison. Coach Santos pursued defensive football and at the same time focused only on counterattacks, so he was naturally read by the opposing team. In the end, it went downhill by dropping out of the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the round of 16 at UEFA Euro 2020.
Nevertheless, at this 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it was selected as one of the favorites to win. This is because, with Cristiano Ronaldo at the center, a team was formed with Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Joao Felix as the main axis. However, he became the victim of an accident. Portugal won 6-1 against Switzerland in the round of 16 and advanced to the quarterfinals, but lost 0-1 to Morocco, which boasts an ‘iron defense’, and ended their World Cup journey in the quarterfinals.
In the end, I had to put the hardship in front of me. Along with the news of the hardship, a successor was also mentioned. The main character is manager Mourinho. Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport said, “The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has already made an offer to Mourinho. Mourinho, who has a contract with AS Roma until 2024, can simultaneously serve as Portuguese manager.” 스포츠토토
It is highly likely that it will be a new challenge for Mourinho. Mourinho began his coaching career in 2000 with Benfica. Since then, he has managed Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. He currently holds the baton for Roma. However, he has no national team coaching experience. If Mourinho accepts the Portuguese coaching job, he will likely prepare for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 competition.